High School

Date: 3/31/26

Speaker: Dr. Fryar

Topic: Empty Tomb, Full Victory: Hope in Resurrection

Bible References: Luke 22, 24; John 19; Matthew 27; Mark 16 

Recap: Dr. Fryar walked students through the events that shaped what we celebrate as Holy Week and the resurrection of our Savior. From Palm Sunday, through the Garden of Gethsamene, to Jesus being sentenced and condemned to His resurrection from the tomb each of these events were orchestrated to bring about God's plan of love and sacrifice so that we can have eternal life with Him!

Date: 3/26/26

Speaker: Brett Bolden, Mercy Church

Topic: Jesus is Worthy of Following

Bible References: Psalm 50; John 14:6; 2 Corinthians 5:17

Recap: Brett started chapel by giving us his personal testimony of his grandfather’s proclamation over his life to be a pastor some day. Then he compared many people’s understanding of the Christian life to auditions for American Idol - perform well enough to get the “golden ticket.” As he guided us through Psalm 50, he shared that “God is not just after your habits. He is after your heart.” He followed this up with these main points:

1. God is a righteous judge.

2. The one who tries to perform for God stands guilty before God.

3. The one who pretends to be a Christian stands guilty before God.

4. God can change your habits, but it starts with your heart.

Questions/Challenges to Go Deeper:

• How do you grow your relationship with God and strengthen your faith?

• What spiritual disciples do you practice as you live out your faith?

• If being a follower of Jesus was like a season of American Idol, would you still be in the competition or would you have been let go? Why?

Date: 3/19/26

Speaker: Margo (Fire & Fragrance Missions)

Topic: Testimony

Recap: Margo shared her testimony of how God brought her into relationship with him and changed her life. She shared about the passion God has placed in her life for reaching the nations, and using her gifts to have opportunities to share Christ. She challenged students to seek practical, everyday opportunities to share what Jesus is doing in your life. You never know who it might impact!

Date: 3/12/26

Speaker: Dr. Jay Hancock

Topic: What Makes You Special

Bible References: Genesis 1:26-27; Colossians 1:15; Romans 8:29-30

Recap: Dr. Hancock started chapel by showing us an NFL-produced commercial in which several football players and children sung a song proclaiming that “Everyone has something that makes you special…” He used that as the springboard to launch a lesson about Imago Dei and the intimate aspect of being in relationship with God! 

Our value doesn’t come from what you do, but from WHO you reflect. When we have a relationship with Christ, we become more like Christ. There is no way to be conformed to the image of Christ than to be around him a lot. We are with him by being in His Word. God created us to be in relationship with Him. We try to fill the God-shaped hole, but when we try to fill it with other things, our hearts will be restless. 

CCS can give you knowledge of God, but only the Spirit of God can give you a heart for God.

Date: 3/5/26

Speaker: Various

Topic: Impact Week

Recap: Missions teams that served in Peru, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and others shared about their experience of serving during Impact Week 2026.

Date: 2/26/26

Speaker: Various

Topic: Impact Week

Recap: Missions teams that served in Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and others shared about their experience of serving during Impact Week 2026.

Date: 2/19/26

Speaker: Donovan Law

Topic: Prayer

Bible References: Matthew 6:9-13

Recap: Mr. Law shared the Lord's prayer as a model for us to follow when talking to God. 

Date: 2/12/26

Speaker: Chris Hager

Topic: Jesus our strong and mighty Savior

Bible References: Exodus 3; Joshua 5

Recap: Coach Hager challenged our students to not view Jesus us a weak Savior. Jesus, God the Son, is strong and powerful. He highlighted that when Jesus was being arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the men fell to their feet when He spoke. Don't walk around thinking that Jesus can't handle the things we see going on around us or in our lives. 

Questions and Challenges to Go Deeper:

• With God you are never alone!

• Is there something in your life that you are not trusting Jesus with?

• Are you stepping out in faith and trusting Jesus in every thing?

• Find a Bible reading plan and a friend to help keep you accountable.

Date: 1/22/26

Speaker: Pastor Alex Kennedy

Topic: Imago Dei

Bible References: 

Recap: Pastor Alex shared with our students that God assigns your value as part of His creation. We are created in His Image and He has determined our value not people's opinions, our social media status, our talents, or abilities. How we treat people demonstrates if we understand the doctrine of Imago Dei. Every soul has value as an image-bearer of God no matter what we see or feel towards another person.

Questions and Challenges to Go Deeper:

• Who is someone in your life that God wants us to "see" as an image bearer that we have struggled with?

• What stumbling blocks are in my life that keep me from seeing others as Imago Dei?

• Make a list of those who you have struggle seeing as Imago Dei and pray for them.

Date: 1/15/26

Speaker: Mary Fleischman - Executive Director

Topic: Queen City Pregnancy Resource Center

Bible References: Hebrews 13:16

Recap: Mrs. Fleischman shared how Queen City Pregnancy Resource Center reaches our community in the way they SERVE, SAVE and SHARE. Their vision is to become Charlotte’s TRUSTED resource empowering families to

choose life for their children and abundant life in Christ.

Questions and Challenges to Go Deeper:

What has influenced your viewpoints regarding when life begins and abortion?

Are you  comfortable are you discussing this topic - why or why not?

How can you help create a safe space for others to discuss life issues?

Date: 12/11/25 

Speaker: Ignite Band, Rose Anderson, Will Irvin

Topic: O Come Let Us Adore Him

Bible References: Luke 2

Recap: High School students focused on the account of the Nativity in Luke 2, and seeing God's sovereign hand work His plan to send a Savior for mankind. The High School Ignite band led an extended worship time with Christmas focused worship. 

Date: 12/4/25 

Speaker: John Riebe 

Topic: The Meaning of Christmas

Bible References: Luke 10:17-20; Luke 2:13-20

Recap: John challenged listeners to not get distracted by the decorations, traditions, and nostalgia of the Christmas season so that we become numb to its true meaning. In the beginning the world was dark and in our nature, we originated in darkness but God brought forth light! It is his presence, power, and purpose that makes us something and gives us value. True identity comes from God, not from what we do FOR God. We cannot understand meaning without God, and Jesus humbly submitted himself to God’s purpose to be a shepherd, an example, to bring hope and demonstrate love. This Christmas, OBEY God and get into his Word, so you can experience His hope, light, life, and love! 

Questions/Challenges to Go Deeper:

How would your will for your life right now be different from your life right now?

Jesus has already chosen you. What happens if you choose him back? What if you don’t?

In what areas of your life do you struggle to let God be enough for you? Why?

What more do you feel like you deserve that God hasn’t given you?

Date: 11/20/25

Speaker: David Hoffman

Topic: The Difference We Make: Relationships Over Rules

Bible References: Matthew 7:5-6; Jeremiah 29:11 

Recap: David Hoffman is a successful, nationally-known realtor and author who uses his challenging life story to point people to the goodness and presence of God even through very difficult times. God’s not impressed with our successes because he gave them to us, but God is more concerned with how we point our successes toward him. He reminded our students that regrets are inevitable, but rather than fear them, learn from them. Also, focus on the opportunities God gives you to build into the people and relationships already in your life rather than those outside and beyond the influence God has already given you. 

Challenges to Go Deeper:

Three main points he shared for students to remember regarding relationships were:

1. Be a real friend even when there is nothing to gain.

2. Be the expert. Don’t “fake it until you make it.”

3. Be present.

Date: 11/13/25

Speaker: Katy Foust

Topic: The Difference You Make - Learning to Hear and Obey God’s Voice

Bible References: Psalm 127:3

Recap: Katy Foust is the founder of “Them Before Us,” a ministry that advocates for the good treatment of children of all circumstances. She shared her testimony regarding her journey to confidently hear God’s voice and how that initiated the death of her safe and comfortable Christian life. Early on, she would hear God’s voice but reason it away, but eventually God tutored her in how to hear his voice. He would call her to do crazy, high-risk things, and she became addicted. She said that what God said was more trustworthy than her feelings. And the last thing she shared with us is that if we want to make a difference, then we need to LISTEN to God’s voice, GOVERN ourselves well (not allowing sin to reign in our lives), and USE our voice!

Questions/Challenges to Go Deeper:

• What breaks your heart so much that you want to make a difference? How might God call you to do that?

• Truth-teller or grace-giver?

• What does it mean to be human? How does answered this question impact how you view abortion, LGBTQ, special needs, adoption, transgenderism, transhumanism, etc?

Date: 11/06/25

Speaker: Captain Pete Mullowney (USN Retired)

Topic: The Difference We Make: Finding Peace Behind Enemy Lines

Bible References: Proverbs 3:5-6

Recap: U.S. Navy Veteran, Captain Pete Mullowney shared his harrowing experience as a pilot in Vietnam. After suffering an engine failure over enemy territory, he experienced God's presence while waiting to be rescued in a dense jungle. He shared how through prayer, he realized the power of God working in his life. 

Thank you to all of our Veterans who have served our nation!

Date: 10/30/25

Speaker: Jason Jimenez

Topic: Challenging Conversations

Bible References: i Peter 2:15; Ephesians 4:15; 1 Corinthians 8; Romans 14:1; Proverbs 16:24

Recap: 

Most Christians remain silent in the face of conflicts about “hot topic” issues, like LGBTQ, racism, mental illness, abortion, etc. Challenging conversations are a necessary evil. They are a way of life. If you don’t have meaningful dialogue, then you can’t have close friends. “Dialogue it to love what blood is to the body.” - The Miracle of Dialogue by R. Howe. Three Fat Excuses for stopping dialogue: I’m just not smart enough. I get too defensive. I get uncomfortable. 

Three types of communicators: Avoider. Advocator. Aggressor.

Three tactics of an Advocator: Relate. Investigate. Translate.

Questions/Challenges to Go Deeper:

Who are you afraid to have a challenging conversation with and why?

What controversial topics do you avoid talking about and why?

What do I need to surrender to the Lord to become an advocate?

Date: 10/23/25

Speaker: Austin and Bailey Raines

Recap: Austin and Bailey serve as counselors and help teens on a daily basis. For this chapel will split up the guys and girls to hear about topics that students struggle with that can be unique to both genders. Afterwards we had a brief question and answer time. (the venue for the guys did not have video recording setup available so this is only the girls session)

Date: 10/16/25

Speaker: Pastor Moore

Bible References: John 4

Recap: Pastor Moore shared about his experience on the mission field in Columbia and Honduras before returning to the United States and planting Impacto Church to reach the spanish-speakers in Charlotte. He challenged students to get out of their comfort zone and find ways to bridge cultural differences to share Christ with others.

Date: 10/2/25

Speaker: Student Testimonies

Bible References: Psalm 31, 34, 100

Recap: Students led worship and shared testimonies of what God has done in their lives. We celebrated God’s protection and provision for our school during this special spirit week! 

Date: 9/25/25

Speaker: Thomas Gaddy

Topic: Student Testimony

Bible References: Job 1

Recap: CCS Junior, Thomas Gaddy, shared his testimony with the students. He opened up about things he has struggled with and steps he is taking to grow in his relationship with God. He has seen God working in the lives of our students, and encouraged them to get involved in what God is doing. 

Date: 9/18/25

Speaker: Dr. Fryar

Topic: Jesus Culture

Bible References: Matthew 8:1-3

Recap: Dr. Fryar introduced chapel with scenes from The Last Supper from The Passion of the Christ movie, then he defined “culture.” Using The Last Supper, the healing of the Man with Leprosy, the Woman at the Well, and the Tax Collectors, he shared how Jesus demonstrated the type of culture he wanted to introduce to the world. He let all kinds of people sit at his table, even a traitor. He gave people a new sense of identity and purpose. He reached out to the people that others considered to be outcasts. As followers of Jesus, we should emulate his culture! 

Questions/Challenges to Go Deeper:

• When was the last time you invited someone different to your table?

• How does an identity centered on Christ change your sense of humility and purpose?

• How do you contribute to the culture of your school? Church? family?

Date: 9/11/25

Speaker: John Riebe

Topic: Lukewarm Christianity

Bible References:  Ephesians 4:21-24; Matthew 12:34-37; Romans 6:1-2; Mark 8:38; Matthew 7:16-20; Matthew 18:6; 1 John 3:10

Recap: John Reibe is an 11th grade student of CCS, and he shared what God has been teaching him since Windy Gap. He gave students the warning signs to know if they are heading toward a lukewarm Christian faith. He challenged everyone to “put off the old self and put on the new self,” realizing that salvation was the easy part of accepting Christ, but the call is to a LIFE with Christ. He drew a line in the sand asking us to choose whether we are a true follower of Jesus or someone who chooses to live in sin, but DON’T ride the fence, because Satan owns the fence (CS Lewis). 

Questions/Challenges to Go Deeper:

• If you are a Christian, are you living for Christ, yourself, or trying to live for both? 

• How does the devil view you? As a threat or as one of his?

• How does your life demonstrate a relationship with Jesus Christ and the influence of his Word?

Special Note:

Dr. Hancock took time to address our students and pray for our community and nation with the many recent tragic events both locally and nationally. See his comments and prayer below.

Prayer for our City and Nation, Sept 11, 2025

I wanted to have a moment to pray with you guys today. 

This has been a tragic week for our city and nation. 

There was a terrible assassination yesterday afternoon of Charlie Kirk. 

Last week a Ukranian immigrant was violently murdered on the CATS light rail here in CLT. The event has gained national attention. 

America is not in a good place right now. 

Over the past several months, we have seen…

Another school shooting at a Catholic school in Minnesota

Two Minnesota state senators were shot, one killed, in June.

Two assassination attempts on our president. 

And today is the anniversary of 9/11.

Every generation has its formative events. 

For me, it was the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan and 9/11.

I was texting with a CCS graduate last night, and I reminded him that God is still on his throne. 

There is hope, and his name is Jesus. 

Your generation, like every generation, has a unique challenge. 

God is preparing you.

God doesn’t move at events like WG to make you happy, but to change you and prepare you.

Young people are returning to church in record numbers. People are searching, and you have the answer in Christ. 

God said to Joshua, (Joshua 1:9)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

PRAYER

Lord, make these students strong and courageous. 

That they would be careful to follow you.

That in turn you would give them life and success as they follow you. 

We pray for our city and country. We pray for our leaders that you would give them wisdom and knowledge so that we can have peace (shalom) in our land. 

All things work together for good. Not all things are good, but they work together to conform us to the image of Christ. Do a good work in these students standing before me right now. Conform us to your image and give us a hope and future. 

May each of us be a light to our neighbor today. May we be kind to everyone, every chance we get. 

Date: 9/4/25

Speaker: Lincoln Lawing

Topic: Integrity

Bible References: Proverbs 11:1-3

Recap: Mr. Lawing shared personal stories from his life about people who modeled moral integrity for him as a child, then he shared what integrity means and why it is important. He told a story about his dad using profanity at a baseball game and submitting to his own punishment for profanity, saying he would not hold his players to a standard that he would not also expect from himself. Mr. Lawing said as followers of Jesus, we must commit ourselves to being the same person at all times, even if it costs us something. There has never been a time when he did what God wanted and regretted it!

Questions/Challenges to Go Deeper:

• Have you ever seen someone do something good, but do it for a selfish motive and/or the wrong reasons? How did that make you feel?

• Why do we sometimes act different around people, than we do when we’re alone?

• As you build culture at your school, why is it important to be the same person in private, as you are in public?

Date: 8/21/25

Speaker: Various

Topic: Summer Missions, Wind Gap, and Chapel

Recap: Several students shared about their summer missions experiences, and we talked about getting ready for Windy Gap. Some students shared with everyone why chapel is important to them, and how we should approach chapel.

Date: 8/14/25

Speaker: Mrs. Nelson

Topic: Convocation

Recap: High School kicked off the school year with Convocation where we introduced the teachers, our SGA, and Will Irvin (Student Body Chaplain) shared a devotional.